Transportation security officer vs security inspector

The differences between transportation security officers and security inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a security inspector has an average salary of $49,082, which is higher than the $36,007 average annual salary of a transportation security officer.

The top three skills for a transportation security officer include continuous development, law enforcement and hire training. The most important skills for a security inspector are security incidents, law enforcement, and vulnerability assessments.

Transportation security officer vs security inspector overview

	Transportation Security Officer	Security Inspector
Yearly salary	$36,007	$49,082
Hourly rate	$17.31	$23.60
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	127,192	100,301
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	42	43
Years of experience	-	-

Transportation security officer vs security inspector salary

Transportation security officers and security inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Transportation Security Officer	Security Inspector
Average salary	$36,007	$49,082
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $44,000	Between $27,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Spokane Valley, WA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	New York
Best paying company	National Institutes of Health	Convergint
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between transportation security officer and security inspector education

There are a few differences between a transportation security officer and a security inspector in terms of educational background:

	Transportation Security Officer	Security Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Transportation security officer vs security inspector demographics

Here are the differences between transportation security officers' and security inspectors' demographics:

	Transportation Security Officer	Security Inspector
Average age	42	43
Gender ratio	Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%	Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 4.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 5.6% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	16%	6%

Differences between transportation security officer and security inspector duties and responsibilities

Transportation security officer example responsibilities.

Resolve simple, informal complaints from employees and referring others such as formal grievances & appeals to an appropriate manager.
Conduct entry of paperwork into PMIS.
Perform search and seizure of drugs and various FAA contraband.
Operate airport security screening equipment and identify items restrict by the FAA.
Certify in the working process of the terminals for the airport through training and OJT.
Serve as technician in addition to normal duties, and OJT instructor for new hires.

Security inspector example responsibilities.

Spear head development and manages a structure TSI mentor program; which is a first of its kind in the agency.
Review MARCEC levels with all facilities require by DHS.
Demonstrate organizational and management skills by creating schedules, training documents, completing payroll, and training new security officers.
Compile daily reports on activities, make suggestions to correct issues and problem solve with the airlines and FAA.
Provide personal protection for dignitaries and VIP guests while maintaining confidentiality.

Transportation security officer vs security inspector skills

Common transportation security officer skills

Continuous Development, 12%
Law Enforcement, 9%
Hire Training, 9%
TSO, 8%
Unexpected Obstacles, 8%
Stressful Environment, 7%

Common security inspector skills

Security Incidents, 10%
Law Enforcement, 10%
Vulnerability Assessments, 10%
DHS, 8%
Federal Regulations, 6%
Public Safety, 5%

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Transportation Security Officer
Transportation Security Officer vs Security Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

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